Flying for the first time next week!

[FirstTimeFlyer]

I'm really excited but also slightly nervous, will be travelling with DP and 18m old DD (He has flown before so will be having her on his lap)

Any advice or tips especially anyone who has flown with a toddler (as DP has never done that part!)

Thanks guys!!

What, the first time you have ever flown, or the first time you have flown with dc?

Whatever way, lucky you - I adore flying.

Sorry no tips about flying with a toddler though!

Both!

Pack a million snacks, buy some child earphones and download a thousand episodes of things from Cbeebies onto a phone or tablet for the toddler.

Take some sweets for chewing/sucking at take off, it helps to sort out the pressure changes in your ears. This is especially important for your child who may find it painful.
Prepare yourself for a very loud noise from the engines on take off.
Enjoy

thank you

Pack more nappies in your hand luggage than you think you'll need. I remember going on holiday with my daughter when she was 14 months old. She decided to poo four times on a two hour flight - I was down to my last nappy and panicking!

If you take a bottle of milk on the plane for her they will ask you to taste it at security. Just to warn you.

If you are Bf then you can do this on take off and landing , it helps her ears. She can be on your Lap with her little belt on.

Take a lightweight buggy and gate check it. Do not take any fancy expensive heavy designer buggies however much you love it.

Have a good time. No one tells you how stunning it is, flying above the clouds. (I flew for the first time in my 20s and was astonished at how beautiful the view was).

How long is the flight?

Take a change of clothes for DD, and probably for DH and you. It's pretty miserable sitting in an OJ soaked teeshirt that has dried and gone sticky!

Have a fab holiday.

I spend the entire time with my nose pressed to the window. AMAZING views.

Don't forget to look (if you have a minute!)

Know your liquids! They're very strict on how many you can take. For some reason I always thought lipstick was a liquid 🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ give yourself way more time than you think you'll need, you never know how long security will take

Flying from Birmingham to Dusseldorf so around 90 mins I believe? Thanks for the advice so far you're all brilliant

Toddler headphones for games on whatever device she has.

Snacks that aren't sticky - breadsticks, raisins, etc

Dummy if she has one - good for ears.

Liquids are v v strict at security, but you can buy everything after you've gone through, eg juice cartons.

Go to the toilet at the gate before you get on the plane. Far easier!

Treat yourself :-) Buy daft chocolate or perfume or whatever it is you fancy. Your first flight is a big adventure at any age

Prepare for your dd to get upset when the plane descends. The littler they are the more it seems to hurt their ears. But it'll pass in ten minutes and then she'll be fine. A bottle to suck on is a great idea. Enjoy! Flying is really exciting!

Have a large gin and tonic, it will be over in a flash.

How exciting!!

For an 18MO I’d take an empty sippy cup through security and top it up once airside and take dry snacks or buy them in the airport. No idea on Birmingham specifically but if you do take through baby milk or food over 100ml then I’ve never been asked to taste it- everywhere I’ve ever flown from has had a liquid scanner but there can be a wait for this so I really wouldn’t bother unless I had a young baby. Get yourself an appropriately sized clear plastic wash-bag from amazon or boots and get your liquids organised before hand. Toddler earphones, an iPad and some colouring are all I usually take with me for entertainment. Definitely a change of clothes for everyone just in case and an entire day’s worth of nappies/wipes in your hand luggage in case of delay.

And most importantly insist on the window seat as it’s your first time!

I'm cabin crew, it's just a bus with wings! Be respectful to other passengers, enjoy and it'll go quickly .

Check the rules on luggage size and liquid restrictions and don't try to bend them.

Enjoy it!